The activPALTM Accurately Classifies Activity Intensity Categories in Healthy Adults

Abstract

The activPAL (AP) monitor is well established for distinguishing sitting, standing, and stepping time. However, its validity in predicting time in physical activity intensity categories in a free-living environment has not been determined.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the validity of the AP in estimating time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in a free-living environment.

Methods: Thirteen participants (mean ± SD age = 24.8 ± 5.2 yr, BMI = 23.8 ± 1.9 kg·m) were directly observed for three 10-h periods wearing an AP. A custom R program was developed and used to summarize detailed active and sedentary behavior variables from the AP. AP estimates were compared with direct observation.

Results: The AP accurately and precisely estimated time in activity intensity categories (bias [95% confidence interval]; sedentary = 0.8 min [-2.9 to 4.5], light = 1.7 min [2.2-5.7], and -2.6 min [-5.8 to 0.7]). The overall accuracy rate for time in intensity categories was 96.2%. The AP also accurately estimated guideline minutes, guideline bouts, prolonged sitting minutes, and prolonged sitting bouts.

Conclusion: The AP can be used to accurately capture individualized estimates of active and sedentary behavior variables in free-living settings.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None

Figures

Figure 1

AP estimates of sedentary minutes compared to DO. Each point represents a separate DO observation session (e.g., 3 per participant). The line of identity represents the truth, thus the closer the point falls to the line, the closer the AP estimate was to DO.

Figure 2

AP estimates of light minutes compared to DO. Each point represents a separate DO observation session (e.g., 3 per participant). The line of identity represents the truth, thus the closer the point falls to the line, the closer the AP estimate was to DO.

Figure 3

AP estimates of MVPA minutes compared to DO. Each point represents a separate DO observation session (e.g., 3 per participant). The line of identity represents the truth, thus the closer the point falls to the line, the closer the AP estimate was to DO.